RZM Fine Arts and Antiques Inc: Ask the Appraiser

After reading the interesting article written last week in the Rockland County Times about the Abraham Lincoln signed document, it caused me to remember that we’ve had this “button” with Abraham Lincoln’s picture on it for years. It was found in an old tin box when we first moved into our house in Pearl River, back in 1964. Apparently, it was left there by the previous owner who had passed away. The front of it says Abraham Lincoln.  There is another man’s picture on the back as well. It is quite small and measures just over one inch round. I’m hoping that you are able to inform me what this button really is and if it has any value? Do you know who the person on the back is? We’ve had it wrapped in tissue paper for well over 50 years to try to preserve it. Until I read your article last week, I had completely forgotten about this item. As a matter of fact, it took me several hours of searching to find it once again. I thought it was lost. Thank you for your time and for writing this article.

Peter

 The item pictured is a rare and very desirable ferrotype photograph political campaign button from the presidential election of 1860. One side features the bust view image of a beardless Abraham Lincoln, while the reverse has another ferrotype photograph image of his vice-presidential running mate and senator from the state of Maine, Hannibal Hamlin (1809-1891). All set in an embossed metal frame. This item is an early example of a political campaign button using a photographic print. A ferrotype is a print or lithograph produced inside a camera using a thin piece of tin coated with enamel. Your political button appears to have survived in very good condition for being over 150 years old., and exhibits very little wear. Most ferrotype political buttons we encounter are badly worn with very little of the photograph remaining. The market for early presidential campaign memorabilia is quite strong. By most estimates it has risen about 25% in the last five years. Particularly American political memorabilia from the 19th century. Unlike the present era, when tens of thousands of political campaign buttons are mass produced for every election, in the mid-nineteenth century that was certainly not the case. In addition to very little being produced at that time, more importantly, how few have remained to this time. The fact that this item represents a very significant president and an important time in the history of the United States, means it’s all in the plus column in terms of collector value. Therefore, the current value of your well preserved 1860 Abraham Lincoln/Hannibal Hamlin presidential button is $1,500 USD. As you read in last week’s “Ask the Appraiser” article, the demand by collectors outweighs the dwindling finite supply that is available. It is my opinion that as with any other important antique, once these items get into advanced collections, they are unavailable for decades. So, when items such as yours appear on the auction market, buyers bid strongly against each other to own them. Please continue to properly take care of this important piece of American history as you have been doing. Thank you for being a loyal reader of this column.